About 35,000 without power as ice storm hits parts of Ontario

TORONTO — An ice storm battering parts of the province has left tens of thousands of Ontarians without power and raised concerns over further outages. According to Hydro One, approximately 35,000 customers are currently without electricity, with the outages concentrated in cottage country areas stretching from Tobermory and Parry Sound to Peterborough.

Environment Canada has issued freezing rain warnings for large areas of Ontario and Quebec, starting from the northwestern shore of Lake Huron. Although central and southern Ontario have already felt the impact, the storm is anticipated to expand on Sunday, moving in the direction of Ottawa and Montreal.

In Orillia, which lies in the heart of Ontario’s cottage country and is already experiencing power cuts, the national weather service predicts that ice accumulation could reach up to 25 millimeters. The city has been particularly affected, with services such as the public library forced to close due to the lack of power.

The freezing rain is expected to create hazardous conditions, including slippery surfaces and falling tree branches, and may lead to further power disruptions. Local police are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel over the coming days in light of these risks.

Fortunately, some areas might see improvements as the storm system begins to move out of the province by Monday. However, the immediate focus remains on restoring power and ensuring public safety as authorities continue to monitor the evolving weather situation.